If you are conducting business with the Government of Saskatchewan by mail, please be advised that delivery may be delayed due to rotating postal strikes. Various measures are in place to ensure service to Saskatchewan residents and businesses during postal strike action.

A number of pages on the Government of Saskatchewan`s web site have been professionally translated in French. These translations are identified by a yellow text box that resembles the link below and can be found in the right hand rail of the page. The home page for French-language content on this site can be found here:

Where an official translation is not available, Google™ Translate can be used. Google™ Translate is a free online language translation service that can translate text and web pages into different languages. Translations are made available to increase access to Government of Saskatchewan content for populations whose first language is not English.

The results of software-based translation do not approach the fluency of a native speaker or possess the skill of a professional translator. The translation should not be considered exact, and may include incorrect or offensive language Government of Saskatchewan does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information translated by this system. Some files or items cannot be translated, including graphs, photos, and other file formats such as portable document formats (PDFs).

Any person or entities that rely on information obtained from the system does so at his or her own risk. Government of Saskatchewan is not responsible for any damage or issues that may possibly result from using translated website content. If you have any questions about Google™ Translate, please visit: Google™ Translate FAQs.

Zika Virus

Information updated in January 2017

Zika virus causes infection in humans and is transmitted by mosquitoes found in South and Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico and in southern parts of the United States, as well as many tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world. The virus was originally only found in Africa and Asia, and first reported in the Western Hemisphere in 2015. Outbreaks of Zika virus infection have now been reported in many countries in the Americas, including the United States, and it is likely that transmission will continue to occur in countries where the mosquitoes are found.

The infection is usually mild and lasts for a week or less. People usually don’t get sick enough to seek medical care, and they very rarely die of Zika. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy is of particular concern as the infection may affect the baby and result in birth defects. There is also a link between Zika and Guillain Barré syndrome - a rare condition where the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system causing weakness or paralysis of the muscles. Although Zika is not a new virus, our knowledge about it continues to advance.

This disease is particularly relevant to Canadian women of child bearing age and their sexual partners who travel to countries with Zika transmission.

For recent updates, including travel health notices, from the Public Health Agency of Canada go to their website.

How Zika virus spreads

Zika is spread mainly through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. These particular mosquitoes are not generally found in Canada due to our cold winters. Studies on the ability of other mosquitoes to carry the virus continue.

The virus can be spread from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Transmission can also occur through blood transfusion. However, persons in Canada will not be allowed to donate blood for 21 days after returning from travel to a risk area. Zika virus can be transmitted sexually.

Symptoms

Approximately 80 per cent of people with Zika virus infection may not be aware that they have been infected. If symptoms occur, these may include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Who is at risk

Anyone who lives in or travels to areas where Zika virus is found and has not already been infected can get it from mosquito bites. The virus has spread to many countries in the Americas where the Aedes mosquito is present. There have also been outbreaks in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Because there is a link to birth defects, such as microcephaly, in babies, becoming infected with Zika is of particular concern to women who are pregnant, those who are planning to become pregnant and their sexual partners.